What term describes the receipts of a business minus its payments within a time period?

The correct term that describes the receipts of a business minus its payments within a specific time period is "Net Cash Flow." This term refers to the difference between the total cash inflows and cash outflows during that period. When a business has more cash coming in than going out, it experiences positive net cash flow, indicating a healthy financial situation. Conversely, negative net cash flow occurs when outflows exceed inflows, which could signal potential financial issues and the need for closer cash management.

Profit Margin pertains to the percentage of revenue that exceeds total costs, reflecting profitability rather than cash flow. Gross Revenue refers to the total income generated by the sale of goods or services, not accounting for any expenses. Operating Income is the profit earned from a firm's core business operations, calculated after deducting operating expenses but before interest and taxes. While all these terms relate to a business's financial performance, only net cash flow specifically addresses the difference between cash inflows and outflows over a given period.